Kuwait To End Emergency Visit Visa Extensions From September 1; Regular Rules Return
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Kuwait will end the temporary extensions granted for visit visas and absence permits from September 1, 2026, restoring regular immigration rules after emergency relaxations introduced during regional travel disruptions earlier this year.
The Kuwait Ministry of Interior announced on August 20 that the exceptional measures, introduced after regional airspace closures and security disruptions affected travel, will no longer apply from next month.
Regular Visa Validity Rules To Apply Again
Kuwait had introduced temporary relief measures after drone and missile attacks and airspace closures disrupted flights following the outbreak of the US-Iran war in February.
Certain visitors were allowed to remain in Kuwait beyond the original validity of their visit visas, while expatriate residents stranded outside the country were granted special absence permits.
From September 1, however, the original legal validity periods of entry visas and absence permits will once again apply.
Kuwait had announced automatic visit visa extensions in March, allowing eligible visitors affected by flight cancellations and travel disruptions to remain in the country without immediately leaving or completing additional procedures.
The Ministry of Interior has now confirmed that the temporary arrangements will end and the normal immigration framework will be restored.
Three-Month Absence Relief For Residents Also Ends
The decision also affects expatriate residents who were granted special three-month absence permits after being unable to return to Kuwait because of the exceptional circumstances.
The permits were issued without in-person processing and with a full waiver of fees.
Under Kuwait's residency rules, an absence permit generally allows an expatriate resident to remain outside the country for more than six months without losing residency status.
However, residents who left Kuwait on or before August 31, 2026, will continue to receive the additional period granted under the temporary relief measures.
Sahel App Certificate To Determine Permit Expiry
The Ministry of Interior said the residency permit certificate issued through the Sahel app will serve as the official reference for determining the expiry of an individual's absence permit.
Residents returning to Kuwait must comply with the validity period mentioned on their certificate.
The announcement is particularly significant for expatriates, including Indian nationals, who have remained outside Kuwait for extended periods while relying on the temporary relaxations.
Those planning to travel or return to Kuwait after September 1 will need to ensure that their visit visas, residency permits and absence permissions comply with the reinstated rules.
